2604-1. Before driving
HILUX_OM_OM0K321E_(EE)
WARNING
Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may result in death or serious injury.
■ When driving the vehicle
● Use engine braking (downshift) to maintain a safe speed when driving
down a steep hill.
Using the brakes continuously may cause the brakes to overheat and lose
effectiveness. ( P. 2 9 4 )
● Do not adjust the positions of the steering wheel, the seat, or the inside or
outside rear view mirrors while driving.
Doing so may result in a loss of vehicle control.
● Always check that all passengers’ arms, heads or other parts of their body
are not outside the vehicle.
● On vehicles with manual transmission, observe the following to prevent
the clutch from being damaged.
• Do not operate the clutch halfway for a long period of time unless it is
necessary.
• Do not operate the clutch half or partial engaged to control the vehicle
speed, such as to drive the vehicle at a low speed, to hold the vehicle
on a slope, etc.
• Do not depress the brake pedal during operating the clutch half or par-
tial engaged.
Doing so could not only speed up the clutch wear, but also damage the
clutch or even cause a fatal accident such as vehicle fire.
■ When driving on slippery road surfaces
● Sudden braking, acceleration and steering may cause tire slippage and
reduce your ability to control the vehicle.
● Sudden acceleration, engine braking due to shifting, or changes in engine
speed could cause the vehicle to skid.
● After driving through a puddle, lightly depress the brake pedal to make
sure that the brakes are functioning properly. Wet brake pads may prevent
the brakes from functioning properly. If the brakes on only one side are wet
and not functioning properly, steering control may be affected.
2614-1. Before driving
4
Driving
HILUX_OM_OM0K321E_(EE)
WARNING
Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may result in death or serious injury.
■ When shifting the shift lever
● On vehicles with automatic transmission, do not let the vehicle roll back-
wards while the shift lever is in a driving position, or roll forward while the
shift lever is in R.
Doing so may cause the engine to stall or lead to poor brake and steering
performance, resulting in an accident or damage to the vehicle.
● On vehicles with automatic transmission, do not shift the shift lever to P
while the vehicle is moving.
Doing so can damage the transmission and may result in a loss of vehicle
control.
● Do not shift the shift lever to R while the vehicle is moving forward.
Doing so can damage the transmission and may result in a loss of vehicle
control.
● Do not shift the shift lever to a driving position while the vehicle is moving
backward.
Doing so can damage the transmission and may result in a loss of vehicle
control.
● Moving the shift lever to N while the vehicle is moving will disengage the
engine from the transmission. Engine braking is not available when N is
selected.
● On vehicles with automatic transmission, be careful not to shift the shift
lever with the accelerator pedal depressed. Shifting the shift lever to a
gear other than P or N may lead to unexpected rapid acceleration of the
vehicle that may cause an accident.
■ If you hear a squealing or scraping noise (brake pad wear indicators)
Have the brake pads checked and replaced by any authorized Toyota
retailer or Toyota authorized repairer, or any reliable repairer as soon as
possible.
Rotor damage may result if the pads are not replaced when needed.
It is dangerous to drive the vehicle w hen the wear limits of the brake pads
and/or those of the brake discs are exceeded.
2624-1. Before driving
HILUX_OM_OM0K321E_(EE)
WARNING
Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may result in death or serious injury.
■ When the vehicle is stopped
● Do not race the engine.
If the vehicle is in any gear other than P (vehicles with automatic transmis-
sion only) or N, the vehicle may accelerate suddenly and unexpectedly,
causing an accident.
● On vehicles with automatic transmission, in order to prevent accidents due
to the vehicle rolling away, always keep depressing the brake pedal while
the engine is running, and apply the parking brake as necessary.
● If the vehicle is stopped on an incline, in order to prevent accidents caused
by the vehicle rolling forward or backward, always depress the brake pedal
and securely apply the parking brake as needed.
● Avoid revving or racing the engine.
Running the engine at high speed while the vehicle is stopped may cause
the exhaust system to overheat, which could result in a fire if combustible
material is nearby.
■ When the vehicle is parked
● Do not leave glasses, cigarette lighters, spray cans, or soft drink cans in
the vehicle when it is in the sun.
Doing so may result in the following:
• Gas may leak from a cigarette lighter or spray can, and may lead to a
fire.
• The temperature inside the vehicle may cause the plastic lenses and
plastic material of glasses to deform or crack.
• Soft drink cans may fracture, causing the contents to spray over the
interior of the vehicle, and may also cause a short circuit in the vehicle’s
electrical components.
● Do not leave cigarette lighters in the vehicle. If a cigarette lighter is in a
place such as the glove box or on the floor, it may be lit accidentally when
luggage is loaded or the seat is adjusted, causing a fire.
● Do not attach adhesive discs to the windshield or windows. Do not place
containers such as air fresheners on the instrument panel or dashboard.
Adhesive discs or containers may act as lenses, causing a fire in the vehi-
cle.
● Do not leave a door or window open if the curved glass is coated with a
metallized film such as a silver-colored one. Reflected sunlight may cause
the glass to act as a lens, causing a fire.
2634-1. Before driving
4
Driving
HILUX_OM_OM0K321E_(EE)
WARNING
Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may result in death or serious injury.
■ When the vehicle is parked
● Always apply the parking brake, shift the shift lever to P (vehicles with
automatic transmission only), stop the engine and lock the vehicle.
Do not leave the vehicle unattended while the engine is running.
If the vehicle is parked with the shift lever in P but the parking brake is not
set, the vehicle may start to move, possibly leading to an accident.
● Do not touch the exhaust pipes while the engine is running or immediately
after turning the engine off.
Doing so may cause burns.
■ When taking a nap in the vehicle
Always turn the engine off. Otherwise, if you accidentally move the shift
lever or depress the accelerator pedal, this could cause an accident or fire
due to engine overheating. Additionally, if the vehicle is parked in a poorly
ventilated area, exhaust gases may collect and enter the vehicle, leading to
death or a serious health hazard.
■ When braking
● When the brakes are wet, drive more cautiously.
Braking distance increases when the brakes are wet, and this may cause
one side of the vehicle to brake differently than the other side. Also, the
parking brake may not securely hold the vehicle.
● If the brake booster device does not operate, do not follow other vehicles
closely and avoid hills or sharp turns that require braking. In this case,
braking is still possible, but the brake pedal should be depressed more
firmly than usual. Also, the braking distance will increase. Have your
brakes fixed immediately.
● Do not pump the brake pedal if the engine stalls.
Each push on the brake pedal uses up the reserve for the power-assisted
brakes.
● The brake system consists of 2 individual hydraulic systems: If one of the
systems fails, the other will still operate. In this case, the brake pedal
should be depressed more firmly than usual and the braking distance will
increase.
Have your brakes fixed immediately.
■ If the vehicle becomes stuck (4WD models)
Do not spin the wheels excessively when any of the tires is up in the air, or
the vehicle is stuck in sand, mud, etc. This may damage the driveline com-
ponents or propel the vehicle forward or backward, causing an accident.
2644-1. Before driving
HILUX_OM_OM0K321E_(EE)
NOTICE
■When driving the vehicle
● Do not depress the accelerator and brake pedals at the same time during
driving, as this may restrain the engine output.
● On vehicles with automatic transmission, do not use the accelerator pedal
or depress the accelerator and brake pedals at the same time to hold the
vehicle on a hill.
● On vehicles with manual transmission, do not shift gears unless the clutch
pedal is fully depressed. After shifting, do not release the clutch pedal
abruptly. Doing so may damage the clutch, transmission and gears.
● On vehicles with manual transmission, observe the following to prevent
the clutch from being damaged. Failure to do so may cause excessive pre-
mature wear or damage to the clutch, eventually making it difficult to accel-
erate and start off from a stop. Have the vehicle inspected by any
authorized Toyota retailer or Toyota authorized repairer, or any reliable
repairer.
• Do not rest your foot on the clutch pedal while driving.
Doing so may cause clutch trouble.
• Do not use any gear other than the 1st gear when starting off and mov-
ing forward.
Doing so may damage the clutch.
• Do not use the clutch to hold the vehicle when stopping on an uphill
grade.
Doing so may damage the clutch.
• Do not use the clutch pedal to adjust vehicle speed.
Doing so may damage the clutch.
• When stopping the vehicle with the shift lever in a position other than N,
make sure to fully depress the clutch pedal and stop the vehicle using
the brakes.
● On vehicles with manual transmission, do not shift the shift lever to R with-
out the vehicle completely stopped. Doing so may damage the clutch,
transmission and gears.
● On vehicles with manual transmission, if you cannot accelerate the vehicle
even when the clutch is engaged and the accelerator pedal is depressed,
this may mean that the clutch is slipping, and the vehicle may be rendered
undriveable. Have any authorized Toyota retailer or Toyota authorized
repairer, or any reliable repairer inspect the vehicle as soon as possible.
2654-1. Before driving
4
Driving
HILUX_OM_OM0K321E_(EE)
NOTICE
■When parking the vehicle
On vehicles with automatic transmission, always set the parking brake, and
shift the shift lever to P. Failure to do so may cause the vehicle to move or
the vehicle may accelerate suddenly if the accelerator pedal is accidentally
depressed.
■ Avoiding damage to vehicle parts
● Do not turn the steering wheel fully in either direction and hold it there for
an extended period of time.
Doing so may damage the power steering pump.
● When driving over bumps in the road, drive as slowly as possible to avoid
damaging the wheels, underside of the vehicle, etc.
● Diesel engine: Make sure to idle the engine immediately after high-load
driving. Stop the engine only after the turbocharger has cooled down.
Failure to do so may cause damage to the turbocharger.
● Diesel engine: In an extremely cold environment, idle the engine for more
than 30 seconds after starting the engine. Do not race the engine while
idling.
■ If you get a flat tire while driving
A flat or damaged tire may cause the following situations. Hold the steering
wheel firmly and gradually depress the brake pedal to slow down the vehi-
cle.
● It may be difficult to control your vehicle.
● The vehicle will make abnormal sounds or vibrations.
● The vehicle will lean abnormally.
Information on what to do in case of a flat tire. ( P. 649)
2664-1. Before driving
HILUX_OM_OM0K321E_(EE)
NOTICE
■When encountering flooded roads
Do not drive on a road that has flooded after heavy rain etc. Doing so may
cause the following serious damage to the vehicle:
● Engine stalling
● Short in electrical components
● Engine damage caused by water immersion
In the event that you drive on a flooded road and the vehicle is flooded, or
on a sandy road, be sure to have any authorized Toyota retailer or Toyota
authorized repairer, or any reliable repairer check the following:
● Brake function
● Changes in quantity and quality of oil and fluid used for the engine, trans-
mission, transfer (4WD models), clutch, differential, etc.
● Lubricant condition for the propeller shaft, bearings and suspension joints
(where possible), and the function of all joints, bearings, etc.
■ Off-road driving (vehicles with type A wheel ornaments [P. 656])
When driving on muddy roads, rocky terrain or sand, or crossing rivers,
remove the wheel ornaments. Driving with the wheel ornaments installed
may cause the wheel ornaments to be damaged or even fall off.
After off-road driving with the wheel ornaments removed, remove dirt or for-
eign objects from the wheel before reinstalling the wheel ornaments.
2724-1. Before driving
HILUX_OM_OM0K321E_(EE)
■Important points regarding stability
Vehicle movement resulting from uneven road surfaces and strong
crosswinds will affect handling. The vehicle may also be rocked by
passing buses or large trucks. Frequently check behind when mov-
ing alongside such vehicles. As soon as such vehicle movement
occurs, immediately start to decelerate smoothly by slowly applying
the brakes. Always steer the vehicle straight ahead while braking.
■Passing other vehicles
Consider the total combined length of your vehicle and trailer and
ensure that the vehicle-to-vehicle distance is sufficient before exe-
cuting lane changes.
■Transmission information
Vehicles with manual transmission: To maintain engine braking effi-
ciency when using engine braking, do not use 5th gear and 6th
gear.
Vehicles with automatic transmission: To maintain engine braking
efficiency when using engine braking, do not use the transmission
in D. Transmission shift range position must be in 4 or lower, in S
mode.
■If the engine overheats
Towing a loaded trailer up a long, steep incline in temperatures
exceeding 30 C (85F) may result in the engine overheating. If the
engine coolant temperature gauge indicates that the engine is over-
heating, turn the air conditioning off immediately, leave the road and
stop the vehicle in a safe place. ( P. 678)
■When parking the vehicle
Always place wheel chocks under the wheels of both the vehicle
and trailer. Firmly set the parking brake and shift the shift lever to P
for automatic transmissions, and 1 or R for manual transmissions.